François Decoster

François Decoster has extensive work experience in various roles and positions. François started their career in 1997 with the Ville de Saint-Omer, where they served as a Conseiller municipal and later became the Maire. François also held the position of Adjoint au Maire, chargé des Finances et du Développement économique.

In 2016, François joined the Région Hauts-de-France, where they served as Vice-président, chargé de la Culture, and later became the Vice-président Culture-Patrimoine-Langues régionales-Relations internationales.

François also had involvement with the Orchestre National de Lille, where they served as the Vice président and eventually became the Président.

Furthermore, François worked with the Le Comité européen des régions as the Membre titulaire, Président du groupe Renew Europe, Président de la délégation française, Premier vice-président de la Commission CIVEX, and Président de la commission CIVEX.

In 2014, they joined the Communauté d'Agglomération du Pays de Saint-Omer as the Président and later became a Conseiller communautaire.

François also gained experience in the Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs, holding the positions of Directeur de cabinet du Secrétaire d’Etat auprès du Ministre de l’Europe et des Affaires étrangères and Directeur de cabinet du SE chargé du Tourisme, des Français de l’étranger et de la Francophonie.

Prior to that, they worked as a Conseiller régional for the Conseil Régional du Nord-Pas-de-Calais and as a Senior Executive Advisor for Public Affairs at Hill+Knowlton Strategies. Additionally, they served as the Directeur-adjoint de cabinet for the Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs and as a Conseiller diplomatique for the Ministry of Higher Education, Research and Innovation.

Overall, François Decoster has a diverse range of experience in local government, regional administration, cultural organizations, international relations, and strategic advisory roles.

François Decoster has a Master's degree in European political and administrative studies from the College of Europe, which they obtained from 1999 to 2000. François also completed a diploma in European Studies from ENA - Ecole nationale d'administration from 2013 to 2014. In addition, they have a specialized diploma in Export Law from Université Paris Cité earned in 1995 to 1996. Prior to that, they obtained a diploma in Public Service from Sciences Po, Institut d'Etudes Politiques de Paris from 1990 to 1994.